Regional Express Airlines has finalised a deal with Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) that guarantees its regional passengers access to new, quality terminal facilities at the airport for the next decade.
Rex Managing Director, Geoff Breust, announced the breakthrough late today – ending months of uncertainty about the airline’s future operations at Sydney Airport.
The airline’s current lease on its Gate 39 facilities and passenger lounge in Terminal 2 was due to expire today (November 30).
“I am delighted to have agreed on a deal that delivers us and our passengers long-term access to dedicated terminal facilities at Sydney Airport and guarantees we can continue to provide reliable and competitive regional services,” Mr Breust said.
“We said from the outset that this issue wasn’t just about Rex but about the future of regional air services and ensuring everyone, regardless of where they live, continued to have affordable, reliable and convenient access to Sydney Airport.
“This agreement certainly achieves that very important objective.
“I want to immediately pay tribute to everyone who supported us from the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, and many other individual MPs from all sides of State and Federal politics, NSW Farmers, the Local Government Association, NSW Shires Association, Country Mayors’ Association, other groups and individuals too many to name, and of course our passengers.
“That support was pivotal in achieving this outcome and Rex is committed to repaying that debt as best we can by continuing to work to deliver the high quality air services regional Australia deserves.
“May I also express my thanks to Sydney Airport Corporation for working through with us in what were sometimes difficult negotiations and reaching an agreement that represents a win/win for the airport and its regional customers,” he said.
The deal includes:
The construction of new facilities at Gate 47 equivalent to Rex’s current facilities at Gate 39
A newly constructed exclusive Rex Lounge adjacent to Gate 47 and equivalent to Rex’s current lounge at Gate 39
Provision of new offices, administration area and corporate passenger meeting room
All facilities secured by a 5 year lease with an option to renew for an additional 5 years
Mr Breust said whilst the new facilities were being constructed Rex would continue to operate from its current facilities in Terminal 2 at the airport. Given Rex’s current lease expires today, interim arrangements have been agreed between Rex, Sydney Airport and VirginBlue to allow the continued co-operative use of those facilities.
He said Sydney Airport had committed to having the new facilities completed by March next year.
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